Wests Tigers Pre-Season Party this Saturday!

[innsaneink]

Seems to be in the middle of nowhere

Great decision

 

[cochise]

Haven't been to one of these days for a few years but decided to take the grandson to meet some players and get his jersey signed if possible. Had a few commitments first so didn't get to ANZ until 1130 but wasn't too worried because the advertisement said finished at 1pm. Got on the end of the line for players signatures and whilst waiting the players were herded away for the nines presentation so we sat and watched that then raised down hoping to join the signature line but then players went down the tunnel and that was it all done and dusted it was 1230pm and all over. Had the club put 1230 instead of 1pm we wouldn't have travelled down to Anz. That will do me for a few years.

It was probably the worst of these days I have been to, I feel the early fan days we had had a real community feel to them with players just walking around mingling with fans, players being interviewed on a stage, cheap mech (even cheap match worn jerseys), free bbq one year as well. This year the jumping castles and kids activities are gone and basically its become a day to get signatures, I'm not real interested in getting the signatures, but my daughter did enjoy it. She is 3 so didn't want to go out on the field by herself and join the training drills, so there wasn't a lot for her to do except lineup to get her ball signed.

I miss the 1st couple of years of our fan day, still have the team photo that fans had a chance to sit in on. I think the day was just lacking that little bit of polish and making members and fans feel more like a part of the club.

 

[Nelson]

Haven't been to one of these days for a few years but decided to take the grandson to meet some players and get his jersey signed if possible. Had a few commitments first so didn't get to ANZ until 1130 but wasn't too worried because the advertisement said finished at 1pm. Got on the end of the line for players signatures and whilst waiting the players were herded away for the nines presentation so we sat and watched that then raised down hoping to join the signature line but then players went down the tunnel and that was it all done and dusted it was 1230pm and all over. Had the club put 1230 instead of 1pm we wouldn't have travelled down to Anz. That will do me for a few years.

It was probably the worst of these days I have been to, I feel the early fan days we had had a real community feel to them with players just walking around mingling with fans, players being interviewed on a stage, cheap mech (even cheap match worn jerseys), free bbq one year as well. This year the jumping castles and kids activities are gone and basically its become a day to get signatures, I'm not real interested in getting the signatures, but my daughter did enjoy it. She is 3 so didn't want to go out on the field by herself and join the training drills, so there wasn't a lot for her to do except lineup to get her ball signed.

I miss the 1st couple of years of our fan day, still have the team photo that fans had a chance to sit in on. I think the day was just lacking that little bit of polish and making members and fans feel more like a part of the club.

You should send that feedback to the membership department. Worst case they ignore it and you've wasted some time but best case they take it on board and improve it next year and you've done something positive to help the club you support.

 

[cunno]

Haven't been to one of these days for a few years but decided to take the grandson to meet some players and get his jersey signed if possible. Had a few commitments first so didn't get to ANZ until 1130 but wasn't too worried because the advertisement said finished at 1pm. Got on the end of the line for players signatures and whilst waiting the players were herded away for the nines presentation so we sat and watched that then raised down hoping to join the signature line but then players went down the tunnel and that was it all done and dusted it was 1230pm and all over. Had the club put 1230 instead of 1pm we wouldn't have travelled down to Anz. That will do me for a few years.

It was probably the worst of these days I have been to, I feel the early fan days we had had a real community feel to them with players just walking around mingling with fans, players being interviewed on a stage, cheap mech (even cheap match worn jerseys), free bbq one year as well. This year the jumping castles and kids activities are gone and basically its become a day to get signatures, I'm not real interested in getting the signatures, but my daughter did enjoy it. She is 3 so didn't want to go out on the field by herself and join the training drills, so there wasn't a lot for her to do except lineup to get her ball signed.

I miss the 1st couple of years of our fan day, still have the team photo that fans had a chance to sit in on. I think the day was just lacking that little bit of polish and making members and fans feel more like a part of the club.

You should send that feedback to the membership department. Worst case they ignore it and you've wasted some time but best case they take it on board and improve it next year and you've done something positive to help the club you support.

To be fair I have since contacted the club and they have been obliging in organising for my grandsons jersey to be signed, currently in the process of working out how this will occur.

 

[cochise]

Haven't been to one of these days for a few years but decided to take the grandson to meet some players and get his jersey signed if possible. Had a few commitments first so didn't get to ANZ until 1130 but wasn't too worried because the advertisement said finished at 1pm. Got on the end of the line for players signatures and whilst waiting the players were herded away for the nines presentation so we sat and watched that then raised down hoping to join the signature line but then players went down the tunnel and that was it all done and dusted it was 1230pm and all over. Had the club put 1230 instead of 1pm we wouldn't have travelled down to Anz. That will do me for a few years.

It was probably the worst of these days I have been to, I feel the early fan days we had had a real community feel to them with players just walking around mingling with fans, players being interviewed on a stage, cheap mech (even cheap match worn jerseys), free bbq one year as well. This year the jumping castles and kids activities are gone and basically its become a day to get signatures, I'm not real interested in getting the signatures, but my daughter did enjoy it. She is 3 so didn't want to go out on the field by herself and join the training drills, so there wasn't a lot for her to do except lineup to get her ball signed.

I miss the 1st couple of years of our fan day, still have the team photo that fans had a chance to sit in on. I think the day was just lacking that little bit of polish and making members and fans feel more like a part of the club.

You should send that feedback to the membership department. Worst case they ignore it and you've wasted some time but best case they take it on board and improve it next year and you've done something positive to help the club you support.

We actually enjoyed the day, but it seemed to be lacking something. I don't really know how to put it into words, it just felt a little lacking in family spirit. There really was not much for the little ones, no mascot, no jumping castle. They had an amazing face painter but that was about it, though my daughter lined up for an hour to get that done, longer than the lines for the players lol.

 

[cunno]

Haven't been to one of these days for a few years but decided to take the grandson to meet some players and get his jersey signed if possible. Had a few commitments first so didn't get to ANZ until 1130 but wasn't too worried because the advertisement said finished at 1pm. Got on the end of the line for players signatures and whilst waiting the players were herded away for the nines presentation so we sat and watched that then raised down hoping to join the signature line but then players went down the tunnel and that was it all done and dusted it was 1230pm and all over. Had the club put 1230 instead of 1pm we wouldn't have travelled down to Anz. That will do me for a few years.

It was probably the worst of these days I have been to, I feel the early fan days we had had a real community feel to them with players just walking around mingling with fans, players being interviewed on a stage, cheap mech (even cheap match worn jerseys), free bbq one year as well. This year the jumping castles and kids activities are gone and basically its become a day to get signatures, I'm not real interested in getting the signatures, but my daughter did enjoy it. She is 3 so didn't want to go out on the field by herself and join the training drills, so there wasn't a lot for her to do except lineup to get her ball signed.

I miss the 1st couple of years of our fan day, still have the team photo that fans had a chance to sit in on. I think the day was just lacking that little bit of polish and making members and fans feel more like a part of the club.

You should send that feedback to the membership department. Worst case they ignore it and you've wasted some time but best case they take it on board and improve it next year and you've done something positive to help the club you support.

We actually enjoyed the day, but it seemed to be lacking something. I don't really know how to put it into words, it just felt a little lacking in family spirit. There really was not much for the little ones, no mascot, no jumping castle. They had an amazing face painter but that was about it, though my daughter lined up for an hour to get that done, longer than the lines for the players lol.

Yes I also noticed that there wasn't much for young children it would be worth letting the club know if you have time as they usually have more than one of these days a year and they may have something for the younger ones if they get the feedback.

 

[Tim Sheens]

One would think that the membership committee had some input into the day. Quite alarming to read that children were poorly catered for, as they are the lifeblood of our club, today and tomorrow.

 

[kodamapixel]

We actually enjoyed the day, but it seemed to be lacking something. I don't really know how to put it into words, it just felt a little lacking in family spirit. There really was not much for the little ones, no mascot, no jumping castle. They had an amazing face painter but that was about it, though my daughter lined up for an hour to get that done, longer than the lines for the players lol.

Totally agree. We took our 3 year old, expecting to see something along the line of last year (jumping castles), or at least get a photo with the mascot – he's still a bit young to get really excited about individual players. We lined up for a few signatures indoors, but didn't want to stand in the midday sun for signatures outside. It felt more like an opportunity for Club sponsors to sell their wares at stalls in the main area, so we didn't stick around for long.

That said, my son was greeted well by all the players that we saw. In particular, Wesley Lolo went out of his way to make him feel welcomed. So it's not that the day was a waste of time, it just didn't have some of the fun of previous years for the younger kids.

 

[PD77]

I hate to admit this but I am a Broncos member (I'm obviously in Brisbane and like to see live NRL) for my two boys (6 & 4) - We attended the Broncos fan day on Saturday. It was pretty much the same as what you describe in this thread. Mainly about set times for different players being available to sign signatures (25 minutes at a time and they sat behind a desk - it was like a production line). No personal touch or other mingling with the fans and weren't even allowed to take photos.
I smuggled my 2005 Tigers Jersey in (that I bought in Sydney, the morning of the GF) and tried to get to Benji but didn't stand a chance. Disappointing and a sign of the times I guess.

Add to that, it was 34 degrees with 80% humidity - I was sweating more than Kyle Lovett in a holding cell.

 

[cochise]

We actually enjoyed the day, but it seemed to be lacking something. I don't really know how to put it into words, it just felt a little lacking in family spirit. There really was not much for the little ones, no mascot, no jumping castle. They had an amazing face painter but that was about it, though my daughter lined up for an hour to get that done, longer than the lines for the players lol.

Totally agree. We took our 3 year old, expecting to see something along the line of last year (jumping castles), or at least get a photo with the mascot – he's still a bit young to get really excited about individual players. We lined up for a few signatures indoors, but didn't want to stand in the midday sun for signatures outside. It felt more like an opportunity for Club sponsors to sell their wares at stalls in the main area, so we didn't stick around for long.

That said, my son was greeted well by all the players that we saw. In particular, Wesley Lolo went out of his way to make him feel welcomed. So it's not that the day was a waste of time, it just didn't have some of the fun of previous years for the younger kids.

Yep same feeling that I was trying to describe, and I agree the players really tried to interact with my daughter as well. It's actually really difficult for the players to interact with the smaller children, many tried hard but it wouldn't hurt to give them a couple of ideas on how to engage the youngest fans. Sounds stupid but asking a 3 or 4 year old their name and age opens them up to talk to strangers so easily, its a question they can all answer and the smile on a little ones face when someone asks them their name is infectious. Matt Ballin was amazing with my daughter and everyone he spoke to, I guess being a little older helps in that regard.

 

[Fade_To_Black]

Yes i would say that the age of the player and whether or not he has kids himself would strongly determine how well they are able to interact with kids, obviously though there are exceptions and a young player that has a young brother or sis would be a natural.
Many players in the NRL or any pro sport for that matter are really detatched from real-life, interacting etc because sport is the one and only love and focus. Listen to blokes like Blake Ferguson speak and you wonder what planet he has beamed down from. Very limited.

 

[WestsBenTigers]

Yes i would say that the age of the player and whether or not he has kids himself would strongly determine how well they are able to interact with kids, obviously though there are exceptions and a young player that has a young brother or sis would be a natural.
Many players in the NRL or any pro sport for that matter are really detatched from real-life, interacting etc because sport is the one and only love and focus. Listen to blokes like Blake Ferguson speak and you wonder what planet he has beamed down from. Very limited.

When have you spoken to Blake Ferguson?

Please don't tell me you are a roosters member

 

[Fade_To_Black]

Ever heard of a television? There is nothing more I love doing when I'm at home than watching cartoons with the kids on the Oled :slight_smile:

 

[innsaneink]

There was no atmosphere there.
I only went to renew my member ship with I couldn't even get done… I wandered around for 10 minutes and took a photo of sirro next to rowdy (sirro close to being the bigger now - surprised s me)
They could've had some music in the background... Maybe EOTT subtley playing in the background, gets people in a buying mood.
Some on field video highlights on loop interspersed with a few sponsors ads on the big screen & monitors on the concourse... These weren't utilised.

Pascoe looked like he'd been on the piss the night before... Could've had a shave at least

My last contact last year (raiders game) was very disappointing.... My first this year not much better I'm afraid

 

[TrueTiger]

One would think that the membership committee had some input into the day. Quite alarming to read that children were poorly catered for, as they are the lifeblood of our club, today and tomorrow.

Have to agree former guest,I was under the impression that the membership committee was set up for this purpose,have input to make these sort of days family orientated,especially things for the kids to get involved in…maybe next year I will put my name in to be on the committee ...I really think it becomes a sales and marketing issue for the club.....get the adults and kids enjoying the day with activities and player interaction goes a long way for the club to secure new and old members..eg, let's face it,if you go somewhere for a day out and get back home telling family and friends what a great day you had,it makes you want to go and do it again,creates interest for the ones that didn't go...
This is entirely my opinion,but wouldn't you rather rave about a good day out for yourself and the kids ....or be left disappointed after being excited to go...

 

[Tim Sheens]

We were going to attend our first of these days had we not gotten the keys to our house that settled late on Friday and are glad that we chose to stay in the Central Coast and enjoy our day with family.

Kudos are due to the club for the various game day features put on at our grounds last year, but reading reports from Saturday is very disappointing. Such days are all about interaction and the focus should always be the children. Players sitting at a table with a marker does little for many supporters.

 

[rialto]

Agree wholeheartedly with all posts suggesting FEEDBACK !!!! LOTS OF IT!! Send Pascoe an email as well! Membership is crucial and the organizing committee need to know where they didn't deliver so that next time they get it right.